Keeping the UK moving

Early career

John studied mechanical engineering at Birmingham University and applied for the ELS during his second year. He says the experience “helped broaden my opportunities.” After his graduate job unexpectedly fell through, John turned to his ELS mentor, Ian Peerless, for advice. “Ian was brilliant and helped me secure a new role,” he says. John returned to Norway to join MW Kellogg (now KBR) as a mechanical package engineer, where he worked on the construction of onshore gas facilities.

The ELS helped me get noticed in my company.

Invaluable opportunities

While in Norway, John used his ELS funding on various courses and trips. “The ELS helped me get noticed in my company,” he says. “I would ask to do courses or go on trips and would pay for it myself with my funding.” John spent several weeks in Mexico learning Spanish and visiting the sites of some of MW Kellogg’s construction projects. He also went to Florence and Pisa in Italy to visit some of the company’s other projects. “All of these visits were incredibly valuable and helped raise my profile in the company.

The future of energy

After two years at MW Kellogg, John returned to England to join energy company, E.On. He held a variety of positions at E.On over a 15-year period, including Head of Asset Risk and Corporate Safety, Head of Operations, and Head of City Energy.

“I led a national team of 150 engineers to design, build and operate decentralised energy systems,” he says. He was responsible for the construction of energy systems for major real estate projects, including Westfield Shopping Centre and Elephant Park in Elephant and Castle. “Working in engineering has suited my need for variety and kept things interesting,” he says.

In 2020, John joined the British Pipeline Agency (BPA) as chief operating officer, before rising to chief executive officer in 2021. BPA is jointly owned by Shell and BP and is responsible for the management of around 1,000 km of liquid fuel pipelines around the UK. “I head up a team of more than 200 engineers and our role is to transport fuel around the UK safely, and ultimately keep the country moving,” he says.

Recent Fellowship and ongoing connections

John was recently made a Fellow of the Academy, in recognition of his outstanding and continuing contributions to the engineering profession. The appointment is something he describes as “an honour” and says, “as someone who has received encouragement and support from the Academy’s programmes, it’s a privilege to be able to give back as a Fellow.”

John’s connection to the ELS remains strong as he is now vice chair of the ELS Steering Committee. He helps with ELS interviews, assessments and annual events. “It is such a positive award,” he says. “We get a broad range of people from engineering that apply and who are all fantastic. It is fabulous to see all the different pathways people take. I’m really passionate about working with the ELS team.”

Advice

John says it is important to “share your passion for engineering” and to not be afraid. “Applications that shine through are ones where it is clear to see what they are interested in and what they want to do with the award,” he says.

I would ask to do courses or go on trips and would pay for it myself with my funding.